Checking and unchecking device.



J. A, BURTON & B. A. BLAKEMORE.

CHECKING AND UNGHEGKING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED T15R23, 1911. Y Y

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. BURTON AND BENJAMAN A. BLAKEMORE, 0F STAUNTON, VIRGINIA CHECKING AND 'UNCHEGKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 23, 1911.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Serial No. 610,251.

An important object of this invention is to provide a device of the above character whereby the driver may uncheck and check a horse or the like, without leaving his seat.

A further object of this invention is to provide a checking and unchecking device which is simple in construction and not liable to become accidentally released to uncheck the horse.

A further object of this invent-ion is to provide a device of the above character which is easy to operate, cheap to manufacture, and neat in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side view of our improved device, show ing parts thereof released, Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view taken through the same, showing parts thereof in their locked position, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a hook and associated members included in the device, and, Fig. 4 is a rear end view of a cylinder or casing forming a part of the device.

In the drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 1 designates a saddle, which is secured to the horse in the usual manner and to which is rigidly connected an upstanding support 2, carrying at its lower end a reduced stem 3. This stem passes through a suitable opening formed in the saddle 1, and the lower portion of the stem 3 is screwthreadecl for the reception of the nut 4. The upper end of the support 2 is forked for engagement with a horizontal cylinder or casing 5, having its forward end formed open and its rear end closed by a head 6. This cylinder or casing is secured to the support 2 by solder or other suitable means. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, the head 6 is provided with a large circular opening 7,

which has communication with a pair of reduced radially disposed openings 8 and 9, forming between them a tongue 10. This tongue is curved outwardly to terminate in a different vertical plane from that occupied by the head 6.

Cooperating with the cylinder or casing 5 is a device for engaging a check-rein 11 and here shown in the embodiment of a hook 12, which is provided with a swinging latch 13 to prevent the accidental removal of the check-rein from said hook. The hook 12 has an open frame 14 formed upon the rear end thereof, to which is pivotally connected a housing 15, having its rear end formed open, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The housing 15 tapers and decreases in diameter toward its rear open end. The housing 15 may preferably be formed of sheet-metal although other suitable material may be employed. Disposed within the housing 15 is a retractile coil spring 16, having its forward end connected with the open frame 14 through the medium of a ring 17. The rear end of the spring 16 is connected with a flexible member or chain 18, as shown at 19. This flexible member or chain extends through the axial opening of the spring 16 and is connected with the ring 17, as shown. The cylinder or casing 5 has its forward open end provided with diametrically arranged recesses 20, to receive the large forward portion of the housing 15. The chain or flexible member 18 carries at a point near and spaced from the rear end of the spring 16, a button 21, having an axial opening formed therethrough for the reception of the chain. The button is prevented from moving longitudinally of the chain by a transverse pin 22, which passes through a link of said chain.

In the operation of our device, the hook 12 is secured in proximity to the casing by placing the button 21 adjacent either of the openings 8 and 9, since the button is too large to pass through these openings. The housing 15 engages the forward open end of the casing 5, the same fitting within the recesses 20. The spring 16 is now under tension which tends to hold the housing in place and the button 21 in engagement with the outwardly bent tongue 10. The function of the spring 16 is to press the button 21 firmly into engagement with tongue 10 and cap 6, whereby the accidental displacement of the button so that the same may pass chain 18. By moving the rear end of the chain rearwardly, the button 21 may be moved from its position adjacent the opening 9 and hence permitted to pass through the large opening 7, which is done when itis desired to uncheck the horse. By a reverse or rearward movement of the chain 18, the parts of the device may be readily returned to their locked position, as shown in Fig. 2.

e wish it understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the sub joined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim 1.. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, a device to be secured to a checkrein or the like, including a housing, a button for detachable engagement with a portion of the casing, elastic means disposed within the housing to connect the button and said device and means to limit the movement of said device away from the casing when the button is in locked engagement with said casing.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, a device to be secured to a check rein or the like, a housing connected with said device and adapted to be moved into and out of said casing, a button for detachable engagement with a portion of the casing, and elastic means disposed within the housing to connect the button and said device.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, a device to be secured to a checkrein or the like and having a portion thereof adapted to be moved into and out of said casing, a button for detachable engagement with a portion of said casing, and a relatively inextensible flexible member serving to connect said device and button.

l. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, a device to be secured to a checkrein or the like and having a portion thereof adapted to be moved into and out of said casing, a button for detachable engagement with a portion of said casing, a relatively inextensible and flexible member for connecting the button and device, and an elastic device having connections with the first named device and said flexible member.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, means to be secured to a check rein or the like, a housing connected with said means and movable into and out of said casing, a button adapted to have detachable engagement with the casing, a flexible mem ber connected with the button and extending through the housing for connection with said means, and a retractile coil spring disposed within the housing to surround the flexible member, said coil spring having one end thereof connected with the flexible member and the other end connected with said means.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a casing having one end thereof closed by a head which is provided with a relatively large opening and a small opening leading into the large opening, said head having its material forming a wall of the small opening bent outwardly, means adapted to be connected with a check-rein or the like, a button to cooperate with said head, and co operating relatively inextensible and elastic members serving to connect the button and means.

7. In a device of the character described, a casing, a member adapted to be secured to a check-rein or the like and to be moved into and out of engagement with the casing, a button for detachable engagement with a portion of the casing, an elastic member connecting the first named member and the button and adapted to be under tension when said button is in its locked engagement with said casing, and a flexible relatively non extensible member to limit the movement of the first named member away from the casing when the button is in locked engagement with said casing.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. BURTON.

BENJAMAN A. BLAKEMORE.

Vitnesses:

HARRY BURNETT, JNo. MILLS, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

